Why Is Tesla Special? Is Tesla Any Good? — Answering The Real Questions

Why do people buy a Tesla?
Tesla cars, being electric, are supposed to be 'green' or non-polluting. This statement is valid while the cars are running on the roads only. We know the effects of pollution on our roads, air, and even our health. This is hugely reduced if electric cars are mass manufactured and used, especially in the cities.

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Teslas also come with a 'status symbol' for some. People buy a Tesla to prove that they are 'saving the planet'. This is actually a far-sighted statement, the reason being that the Lithium used in Li-ion (powers most electric cars) is not that abundantly available. It has to be mined out.

So, if the world shifts to electric cars, we are just shifting the mining element - Petroleum to Lithium; unless of course, all the EV manufacturers find an alternate powering source.

Why do car manufacturers fear Tesla?
Nowadays, every premium car manufacturer is going after performance figures - The fastest, the most powerful, the quickest and most importantly, which goes around the Nurburgring in the least possible time.

Tesla P100D variants (the quickest among the lot) are popular for their insane or ludicrous (as Tesla calls) acceleration. They can beat most conventional supercars in a drag. The latest Tesla Roadster takes only 1.9 seconds to reach 100kmph from a standstill.

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Though most supercars meet the sub-3 second 0-100kmph title, 1.9 seconds is just out of this world. People who can easily shell out cash would obviously want the fastest and the most hyped car available in the market.

Is Tesla the future?
Even if Tesla isn't the future, they are certainly the most modern. To give you an idea, Tesla cars get more features via a simple software update, just like in a smartphone. Teslas also offer internet access inside them with real-time data.

Tesla models have not been particularly cheap but they will become more and more affordable with time. But compared to a conventional petrol/diesel car, EVs (Electric Vehicles) are expensive and less performing at the same price point.

Thanks to the wide acceptance of Teslas, the EV market is slowly booming and young companies are getting into the picture. Hence, if you ask, 'Is Tesla the future?', the answer would be, 'Tesla isn't, but electric cars are'.

Is Tesla any good?
Tesla Model S owners, upon survey, scored 98% in customer satisfaction, the highest ever in the entire automotive industry.

All Tesla models are really easy to operate. With the 'Regen' mode turned on, the car could be driven by just one leg because the energy regeneration acting on the brakes automatically slows down the car, when you lift off the accelerator pedal. Most Tesla models can technically drive by themselves too.

Elon Musk is a witty guy and that fact shows in his products. Tesla models come with some awesome quirks, easter eggs and features which often leaves the owner, a smile.

Are Tesla models actually eco-friendly or green?
Like we said earlier, electric cars use Li-ion batteries and Lithium is an element which needs to be mined out just like any other petroleum product. Also, if batteries are disposed to the environment, a substantial amount of acidic pollutants are released. Tesla's Giga Factory aims at making Li-ion cells, in-house.

Suppose if EVs are to replace petroleum-powered cars, there should be that much supply of electricity. If the electric power available at your place comes from a coal-powerplant and not from sunlight, water or wind, then your EV is indirectly polluting the environment.

Some researchers have even come up with enough data proving that EVs cause more carbon emissions than conventional cars, in their entire product life cycle.

Do you need a Tesla?
Buy a Tesla if you want to get things going in the simplest way possible, without having to worry about a pollution certificate. The car is silent, practical and can be really quick too. If you are not a hardcore driver and do not enjoy shifting gears or hearing a sweet engine note, Tesla is the way to go.

But do keep in mind that all EVs come with a charging time of at least 40 minutes, which could prove detrimental if you are in a hurry. Maybe in the not-so-distant future, we might see some solutions for this.

When is Tesla coming to India?
Cars, in general, are really expensive in India compared to places abroad, Tesla no exception. Even if Tesla is to come to India, the economic, infrastructural and practical conditions should support it.
Read more here - Premium EV Cars Still A Distant Dream For India?

DriveSpark Thinks!
Do not get us wrong. Tesla Inc. makes some awesome cars with the perfect blend of performance, practicality, and aesthetics. Elon Musk proved a point through Tesla, 'Electric cars can be fast and beautiful, and not some boring boxes that move'.

We like Tesla, Rimac or any other premium EV car manufacturers. But from an enthusiast perspective, an electric car can never offer the feeling of involvement a petrol car gives. We really want to see electric cars as an alternative, rather than a replacement to conventional internal combustion cars.